Machine for measuring and wrapping powders



. G. KNEWITZ. MACHINE FOR MEASURING AND WRAPPING POWDERS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I5, |920.

4 SHEETS-SHIET I.

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APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15 1920.

lin m ts O 0% mm P@ ...SMR I mu G. KNEWITZ. MACHINE FOR MEASURING AND WAPPING POWDERS.

APPLlCATlON FILED SEPT. 15| i920.

Pim/BBM 3L 11922.

4 SHEETS-snm a.

G. KNEWITZ. MACHINE FOR MEASURING AND WRAPPING POWDERS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. l5. 1920.

Fmr/@med @om EL i922,

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Patented @cfa 31, EQZ.

narran sra'rasraranr carica.,

Grimani) annwrrz, or nasa sr. Louis, rumors.

MACHINE FOR MEASURING AND WRAPPENG POWERS.

Application ledl September 15, 1920. Serial lo.` 410,515.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GERHARD KNEwrrz, a citizen of the United States, residingat East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful' Improvements in Machines for Measuring and Wrapping Powders, of which the following is a specification, containing a full, clear,

` and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof. Y

My invention consists in-the novel disclosure hereinafter particularly described and distinctly claimed. y

The object of my invention is to improve and simplify the mechanism and method used in folding paper wrappers containing medicinal and other powders, and at the same time to increase the efficiency and econ- 'omy of the machines used in practicing the method; thereby providing machines of low cost that are especially adapted ,for use by druggists and pharmacists, as well/aS-by the large manufacturers of pharmaceutical preparations.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved straight-line machine for folding the powders in their wrappers, in which machine the paper shall pass in a substantially straight line from a paper-roll, beneath a powder hopper an'd to the cuttingknife, without inverting or rotating the folded dose-containing base of the paper wrappers. v

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan-view of a machine that is adapted to carry out my invention.

Fig.v 2 is a of the straight-line paper-folding funnel, which forms an important part of my machine, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the delivery-end of the paper-folding funnel. looking at said end from the right hand of /Fig.`1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side-elevation of a cam on the gear-wheel which drives the package-delivering mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a side-elevation of themachine shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 6 is a vertical transversesection of the feed-hooper and its actuating parts.

Fig. 7 is a side-elevation of a portion of the gear-wheel that drives the packagedetail section of the feed-end delivering mechanism and the cutting-knife. Fig. 8 1s a detail sectional side-elevation of the driving-gear and mounting of the feed-rolls and the tension-rolls used in the machine, the section being on line 8 8 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 9 is a detail front-elevation of the cutting-knife mountings, looking at same from the left-hand of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1() is a detail view of the final folding and discharge mechanism, in one position.

Fig. 11 is a view similarto the last, with the parts in a different position, and y Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive are views of the cut-ofi' paper and the dose of powder carried thereby, in the different stages of the folding and creasing operations.V

The straight-Zine distinguishing feature.

. A distinct characteristic of myinvention 1s the fact that the paper passes from the paper-roll to the feed-end of the foldingfunnel, thence beneath the powder-hopper,

may be classed as a lstraight line machine,`

in contradistinction to those powder wrapping machines in which the paper is moved in a circular or sinuous path after it leaves the paper-roll.

General description.'

The numeral 1 designates a suitable' base, frame, table-top, or `.other support, upon which the various parts of the machine used in practicing my method, are mounted.

The paper-roll 2 is mounted upon a spool 3 having the usual core or spindle 4 supported by roll-standards 5, at one end of the said base 1.

The paper from said roll 2 is led, while in a flatccondition, into the open larger end of a single long tapered paper-folder or funnel 6, the bottom of which extends horizontally, in a substantially, straight line, continuously from a point adjacent said paper-roll toward the delivery end of the machine, where it terminates a short distance from a pair of feed-rolls 7.

The said hollow tapered folder 6 has a cross-section lat itslarger end that is subico stantially ll-shaped, as shown in Fig.-` 2, at

which point there are narrow top flanges V8 projecting inwardly from the opposite converging side-walls 9, which rise from a flat horizontal base 10, which extends from endto-end of the folder in a straight line.

The delivery-end of said tapered folder 6 has the form shown in Fig. 3, which is produced by folding and shapin the sheetmetal (or other material) whlch composes the said top flanges 8, and side-walls 9, from a point about midway of the length of said folder to the delivery-end thereof, said top fianges being widened there for permitting such foldin At and ajacent the delivery-end of said folderf, the opposite side-walls 9 and the there widened top walls 8, are doubled upon each other transversely, to provide a folding passage for the paper strip passing therethrough; and said passage is thus formed with double flat upper and lower walls, and with opposite curved walls 11 at its edges, to fold the paper, as indicated by the parallel fold-lines 12 in Fig. 12, and to deliver the folded paper, with doses of powder folded therein, in the form shown in Fig. 13.

The said tapered folder 6 is supported, in the present case, by suitable brackets 14, which rest upon the said base 1.v

The feed-hopper and ctuang devices.

' Thepaper, shortly after entering the feedend of said tapered folder 6, passes beneath a feed-hopper 15, and receives therefrom definite quantities or doses of powder, separated from each other a distance corresponding to the length 'of the individual dose-wrappers, to be later cut od of the longitudinally-folded strip of paper that has been prepared (with the appropriate doses of powder in it at regular predetermined points) by the said tapered folder 6.

Said hopper 15 is supported, as shown in Fig. 6, upon a suitable lbase 16 having opposite longitudinal side-bars 17 from which rise braces 18 whose upper edges or ends are secured to the upstanding walls ofthe hopper, and said base and 'the side-bars rest upon the top cross-bars of the previously-described brackets 14.

The` bottom of the saidhopper 15 is norclosed by a dose-measuring slide 19, whic has a measuring-pocket or tablet forming aperture 2O formed in it, and which slide is mounted upon said base 16, to move back and forth thereon, between said sidebars 17, so that when said measuring-pocket is located in said hopper it is filled with powder, which is packed in said pocket, in the form of a soft tablet, by the lower end of a vertical compressing-plunger 21. which is mounted to reciprocate 1n the said hopper in timed relation to the said slide.

In the present case, the said plunger 21,

stirring-device hub 22,

igeaaaee Fig. 6, is mounted within a tubular vertical hub 22 of a powder-stirrer that is also mounted in sald hopper 15, the lower end of said hub having a shouldered journal 23 that revolves in a bearing formed in a bracket 24 projecting from `the interior of saidhopper, the construction being such that the said' hub may freely rotate while the said plunger is non-revoluble but is freely mova le axially within said hub.

Suitable stirring-devices 25 have their inner portions connected to the said hub 22, and other parts Yextended into said hopper 15, to engage the powder therein, and to keep it from caking, and cause it to gravitate to the bottom -of the hopper and into the said measuring-pocket 20 of the said slide 19, promptly as required..

The said stirring-devices are driven by a belt pulley 26 fixed on the upper end of said and a belt 27 running upon said pulley andover idlers or guidepulleys 28 mounted at the upper ends of the idler-stands 29, and thence downwardly and around a drive-pulley 30 which is xed on a horizontal counter-shaft 31, to which power may be imparted in the manner hereinafter described.

rlhe said slide 19, by means of which the doses of powder are measured, compressed,

f and discharged, is intermittently moved and Arock-lever extending pressed and held in permitted to rest, by a rock-lever 32 which is pivoted at 33 to the top of a pivot-stand or bracket 34 rising 'from said base l; said horizontally from a point above the said counter-shaft 31 to the end of said slide which projects at the righthand of said feed-hopper 15, at which point said rock-lever is pivotally attached at 35 to said slide.

The outer end of said rock-lever carries a cam-roll 36 which is enga ed by the opposite walls of a cam-groove 3 cam 38 that is fixed upon the said countershaft 31.

rlhe said vertical plunger 21, by means of which the doses of powder are compressed slightly, and formed into soft tablets within said slide pocket 21, is intermittently dean elevated position by means of another rock-lever 39, the inner end of which is pivoted at 40 to the upper endof said plunger, and the outer end of which carries a cam-roll 41 running in a cam-groove 42 of a cam 43 that is also fixed on the Jsaid counter-shaft 31 at a point near the said cam 38, the said rock-lever 39 being" fulcrumed at 44 to a bracket 45 clamped upon the upper edge of the said feed- 'hopper 15.

of a rock-lever iaeaaee The said slide 19 1s held a short time at` the limit of its discharge movement, by the action and construction of the said slideactuating cam 38, so that the compressed dose-tablet which then occupies the said pocket 20 may be punched downwardly out of the latter and drop upon the strip of unfolded paper thatlies beneath, in the larger end of the said tapered folder 6.

A dose-punch or plunger 46 is provided for that purpose, and it is moved vertically at the proper times, up and down, to detach the dose tablets from said -slidel 19. Seeaid dose-plunger 46 is a short vertical cylindrical body, of any suitable material, having a diameter slightly less than that of the said dose-pocket 20, and pivotally connected at its upper end to the adjacent overhanging end of a dose-ejecting rock-lever 47, by means of a/ common bolt or pivot-pin 48.

The said dose-ejecting lever 47 is pivotally mounted at 49 upon a common supportingbracket 50, extending from the top of the adjacent supporting-bracket 14, the pivotal point of said lever' being about midway of its length.

A roller 51 is carried by the outer por-- tion of the said dose-ejecting lever 47, to operate in a cam-groove of a cam 52 of the same construction as thepreviously-described cam 43, and fixed on saidcounter-shaft 31 near the lefthand (or feed) end of the latter, so that as the said cam 52 is rotated, the said` lever will be rocked at the proper times to punch the dose-tablets from said dose-pocket 20, then to elevate the said dosepunch 46 toits normal position above and out of contact with said'slide 19, and tol hold same elevated until another punching stroke is to be made.

The said counter-shaft 31 is mounted in common bearings 53 carried by the upper ends of suitable supporting-stands, as shown in Fig. 5, and it is driven by a bevel-gear wheel 54 fixed on the right-hand end of said shaft and meshing with another bevelgear 55 that is fixed upon the adjacent laterally-extending upper feed-roll shaft 56, which is itself driven by spur-gear 57 fixed in meshing pairs upon the said upper feedoll shaft and the lower feed-roll shaft 58,

A large bevel-gear 59 is fixed upon the extended end of said lower feed-roll shaft 58, to drive said shaft, and said large bevelgear is driven by a bevel-pinion 60 that is fixed on another counter-shaft 61, extending lengthwise of the machine, on the side thereof that is opposite that on which said counter-shaft 31 is located.VV

Said counter-shaft 61 is mounted in bearings 62 -atlthe upper end of bearing-stands 63, and it is driven lby a suitable motor 64 whose shaft 65 carries a pinion 66 that is inmesh with a gear-wheel 67 fixed on the adjacent projecting ,end of said countershaft. i'

Any other form of motive-power, and any other common arrangement of driving connections may be used.

The feedroZZ/wwahcmism.

The paper from lthe said paper-roll 2 is fed by hand, in starting the machine, into the larger end of the said tapered folder 6, where it is supplied with doses of powder from said feed-hopper 15,\and is foldedA longitudinally upon said doses, in the form of a folded strip having a width four and one-half times less than that of the unfolded Hat strip of paper, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

Said longitudinally-folded strip of paper, containing the doses of powder at intervals of its length, is led from the smaller (oir delivery) end of said tapered folder 6, directly toward and between a pair of common feed-rolls 7, which preferably have a roughened or corrugated/periphery, for friction,- ally engaging the paper, and drawing same through the said tapered folder.

Said feed rolls 7 are alike in size and construction, and the upper one is fixed upon said upper feed-roll shaft4 56, and the lower one is mounted upon said lower feed-roll shaft 58, to be driven by the gearing previously described. j

Preferably, as shown in Fig. 5, the upper feed-roll 7 is yieldingly urged into contact with the paper that is passing between said feed-rolls, by a common arrangement of a coiled spring 68 pressing upon the upper bearing-box 69 at leach end of said upper said base 1, and whereon the said dose-strip may be inspected, as well as supported before it reaches the tension-rolls and cutting- 0E knife, now to be described.

T he tene/Qa rolls.

A pair of tension-rolls 76, made preferably of rubber, or having a soft rubber periphery, are provided with shafts or journals dose-strip 73 (as 5 passes between said mounted in bearings which are similar in every way to those of the said feed-roll .shafts 56 and 58, said bearings for said tenupper tension-roll, and tension-adjusting' screws 70 being provided, for regulating as required) the tension of the said springs.

Said tension-rolls 76 are separated from the said feed-rolls 7, or rather are in advance of thelatter, about the length of the dosecontainin packages that are to be out from the said ose-strip 73, said table-top 74 being located to fill the gap between said two sets of rolls, and to support and guide the said ldose-strip. on its way from said feedrolls to and between the said tension-rolls.

Power is imparted to said tension-rolls 76, in the present instance, by a sprocketchain 78, which is mounted upon a spocketwheel 79 fixed on said lower feed-roll shaft 58 and engaging a similar sprocket-wheel 80 fixed on the shaft 81 of thelower one 'of said tension-rolls, and the upper and lower tension-rolls are geared together, and the upper one thereof is positively driven, by spur-gears which are like the gears 57 previously described for earing together the said feed-rolls 7. See 4'ig. 8. V

The purpose of the tension-rolls ,7 6, .is to draw (and hold) taut the dose-strip 7 3 after same has passed between said feed-rolls 7, and to prepare said strip for the cuttingknife.

rlhe drawing action is accomplished, in the present instance, by making the diameter of the said tension-rolls very slightly greater than that of the said feed-rolls, so that although both sets 'of rolls are driven at the same speed, the larger tension-rolls will tend to move the dose-strip slightly faster than same is moved by the said feed-rolls, and said strip will thus be drawn tight and smooth after it has passed through said feed-rolls.

A short delivery-platform receives and supports the paper dose-strip 7 3 after-it has passed between said tension-rolls 76, and carries same beneath the cutting-knife, whose construction and operation will now be described in detail.

The cuttmg-mfe.

As shown in detail in Fig. 9, a vertical cutting-knife 83 is mounted to slide in guides 84 which are riveted or otherwise secured to the delivery-side of a cutting-knife stand 85 that is set. on said base 1, so that the dose-strip 73 will pass from said short delivery-platform 82 beneath said cuttingknife when the latter is elevated.

Said knife-stand 85 is provided with a flatI horizontal top or cover-flange 86, to which is secured the upper end of a coilspring 87.

The lower end of said spring 87 is secured to a fiat knife-lifting link 88, which is attached to said cutting-knife by a pin or bolt 89, so that said knife is held normally elevated a short distance above a fixed cutter 9() carried by said knife-stand 85, to permit y the said dose-strip 73 to pass between said knife and said fixed cutter.

A knife-depressing leverv 91- is pivoted at 92 'to the side of said knife-stand 85, and eX- tends obliquely across said knife-guards 84 to a point adjacent the opposite edge of said knife-stand, Where it carries a common stirrupor vertical armY 93 which has' a horizontal part 94, for a purpose now to be described.

A rock-shaft 95 is mounted horizontally in a bearing 96 near the top of said knife-stand 85, and a similar bearing at the top of a bearing stand 97 rising from said base 1 at a point some distance in advance of the said knife-stand; and said rock-shaft is provided with a lateral pin or finger 98 at a point beneath said knife-lever 91, so that when said shaft is rocked in one direction theV said lateral finger will be moved downwardly into engagement with said horizontal part 94 of said stirrup 93, and carry with it the later, aswell as the free end of said knifelever.

The lower edge of said knife-lever 91 is in Contactl with the said knife-pin 89, which projects in the path of said lever; so that when the latter is moved downwardly the .cuttingknife will be actuated, and the dose-strip 73 will be severed between the edge of said knife and the said fixed cutter 90.

A crank or finger-99 is fixed 'on the righthand end of said rock-shaft 95, and projects normally in the path of a pin or lug 100 projecting inwardly from the face of an adjacent large gear-Wheel 101, as said pin or lug is moved downwardly, and said lrock-shaftV is thereby actuated in one direction, the power of said coiled spring 87 on the knife-stand` 85, returning all of the connected parts to their normal positions. See Fig. 7for a detail view ofthe said crank or finger 99, and its actuating gear-wheel pin 100;

The large gear-wheel 101 is fixed upon a short shaft 102 which is mounted in bearings at the top of bearing-stands 103 and 104;,

respectively, which rise from the base 1 of' the machine, near the delivery end thereof.

A pinion 105 is fixed on the said counterrea/ieee i shaft 61 near said motord, and meshes with the teeth of said large gear-wheel, to drive the latter.

After the cutting-knife 83 has severed a longitudinally folded -wrapper yfrom the dose-strip 73, 'in the manner above described,

saidY wrapper then presents the appearance (in plan View) in which it is shown in Fig. 13, land in order to complete'the wrapper, and to close its ends a ainst the accidental exit of the contained ltiose of, powder, the said wrapper is creased and folded transversely at some distance from each end, as indicated by the dotted lines 72.

The final folding and discharge mechanism now to be described, performs the function just mentioned.

The uncut dose-strip 73, as it emerges from between the said tension-rolls 76, pushes the Wrapper (which has just been severed) onto a spring-supported dro'ptable 106, which is provided with a shaft Ior pintles 107 at one edge, and is normally yieldinglysupported in a horizontal position in the path `of 'the cut wrappers, as the latter leave the said cutting-knife 83.

The pintles 107 of said drop-table 106 are mounted in suitable bearings, as 108, supported in a workmanlike and mechanical manner from said base 1, and a common spring 109 is coiled about one of the said pintles, and has one of its ends bearing against the said drop-table, and has its opposite end engaging the adjacent bearing 108 or some other fixed object, so that said table will be normally spring-supported in a horizontal plane, and yet be capable of being partially rotated onfits pintles when it is depressed by the slotted delivery-paddle 110, now to be described.

Said delivery-paddle 110 is provided with two parallel slots 111, which extend transversely of said paddle from' its free edge almost to its opposite edge, which latter is secured to said large gearwlieel shaft 102, so that the latter causes the paddle to be rotated with said gear-wheel 101.

The timing of said large gear-wheel shaft 102 is such that said delivery-paddle makes one complete revolution each time a wrapper is cut 'off and delivered; and said paddle reaches a position just above the cut-off wrapper while the latter is supported by the said drop-table 106, which is the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 10, which see.

With the timing just described, the `said rotating slotted delivery-paddle 110, will be brought down upon 4the cut wrapper as it lays upon the said drop-table 106, Fig. 10, and will force the latter downwardly to a position folding-arms 112, which bend the ends of the wrapper on the transverse dotted lines taining the between opposite spring-pressed 72, Fig folded inwardly, until they assume a position overhanging' the body dose of powder, as shownfin Fig. 15.` i

Then, as the downward movement of the said slotted delivery-paddle 110 the transversely-folded wrapper will be detached .from the opposite creasing-slots 114 of the said spring-arms 112, and will be brought to the position indicated in Fig; 11,-where said wrapper will be engaged by the arms 115 of a rocking detaching-fork,

and be thereby detached, and be caused to drop to a suitable receptacle (not shown), from which the finished wrapped doses may be removed and placed in boxes or packages, ready lfor the market.

A hole 116 may be cut in the base 1, to permit the finished wrapped doses to fall into a receptacle (not shown) beneath the `said base.

The said folding-arms 112 are upstanding, being pivoted at 117 to suitable stands 118 which rest upon the base 1 or other part 'of the machine, and said arms are'yieldingly held in an upstanding position by front and back springs 119\ of common construction, so that the walls of the said creasing-slots 114 of the said arms will be held yieldingly in contact with the transverse folds of the wrapped doses.

Said rocking detaching-fork has its said arms 115 projecting at a right-angle from a rock-shaft 120 that ismounted in bearings 121 that are set upon said base 1.

Motion is communicated to the said arms 115 of said detaching-fork, by a cam-segment 122, FigJl, which is fastened to the inner face of the said large gear-wheel 101, and projects laterally therefrom, and rides over and depresses a crank 123 that is fixed on the adjacent right-hand end of said rock.

Means foin timing the dose-slide and the feed-rolls.

of the wrapper con-A continues,

. 13,/and cause said ends to be bent or A clutch, or a common change-speed gear of some kind, should be provided at some point in the driving mechanism between the said dose-slide 19 and the said feed-rolls 7, whereby the movement of the paper may be timed or adjusted inI conformity with the movement of the said dose-slide, so that MEQ 'in the present form of my machine,

the proper length of paper will be fed before and after each dose-tablet of powder is delivered to the paper. v

The desired relative movements, or synchronization, of said parts is brought albout y a common clutch having toothed-j aws124: and 125, F ig. 1, which engage each other to drive sa1d dose-slide 19 and its cooperating parts, and which are disengaged to stop said slide, in case the doses of powder are being delivered to the paper too close together.

The said clutch-jaws are fixed on two sections of the said counter-shaft 31, which drives said slide, the jaw 124 being carried by one section of said shaft; and the said jaw 125 being fixed on the other section of said shaft, which is divided (as usual) at a point between said jaws, the said jaw 124 being slidable on said shaft, or splined thereon, in caseJ the said shaft is left in one l piece, and a common. hand-lever 126 is pivon a stand 128, for' otally mounted at 127 operating said slidable jaw. A spring 129 normally urges said movable clutch-jaw into engagement with the opposite jaw.

Referring again to the discharging-mechanism, I would point out that some sort of a device should be provided for normally holding the said arms 1 15 of the said rocking detaching-fork in a substantially upright position; and in the present case I have shown a common spring 130 for that purpose, and, as shown, said sprin is coiled around the rock-shaft 120v of said fork, and has its ends secured respectively to said shaft and tothe adjacent rock-shaft bearing 121.

The operation.

The operation of my invention will be readily apparent without 'farther descriptio'n; but I wish to reiterate the statement previously made in the above further object of my invention, as well as to the subsequent statement under the heading of the straight-line distinguishing Ifeature, that the strip of paper from the said paper- Maaate in their passage to the dischar e-mechanism, but ysaid doses rest throug out said passage upon the central upon which they were primarily deposited, and which part wrapped package of powder.

I also direct attention to the flat horizon;

tal base, or bottom, 10, of the tapered folder 6, upon which the central part of the paper rests throughout the ypassage of the paper whilst in said tapered folder, after the doses have been deposited upon the central part of s'aid paper.

I claim the following A machine for measuring and wrapping powders, comprising means for supplying a strip of paper; which deposits the powder on said strip of paper at intervals in vthe length of the latter, in measured doses; a single long straight-line hollow paper-folder extending in a horizontal position from said dose-depositing device to a delivery-roll, land having opposite walls between which said strip of paper is primarily passed, and thereby folded longitudinally over said measured doses, the dose-supporting bottom wall being straight and flat and extending continuously in a horizontal plane from the receiving-end to the delivery end of said folder; .feed-rolls, for drawing said dosecarrying longitudinally-folded strip of paper through said tapered-folder; a cutting-knife for severing said strip into short lengths after it has passed said feed-rolls; and delivery-mechanism constructed to fold the ends of the severed short lengths of paper, to retain the dose of powder that is carried by them.

GERHARD KNEWITZ.

Witnesses:

WINIFRED MCHALE, JOHN C. HIGDON.

part of the paper,

is the bottom of the finishedl a dose-depositing device, .i 

